Geeta wins India's second bronze in World championship

New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS): Geeta Phogat ensured India’s second medal in the Women’s World Wrestling Championship in Edmonton by securing the bronze in the 55 kg freestyle category.

Phogat got the better of Ukraine’s Nataliya Synyshyn 3:0 in the final of Repechage 1 Friday. Maria Prevolaraki of Greece won the other bronze beating Canadian Brittaneee Morgana Laverdure in Repechage 2.

Saori Yoshida of Japan won the gold defeating American Helen Louise Maroulis. The Japanese great is the Olympic Champion since 2004 and World Champion since 2002.

The 29-year-old grappler got past Geeta in the quarterfinals before defending her title.

That pushed the Indian into the repechage round where she overcame Kazakhstan’s Akziya Dautbayeva before facing Nataliya in the bronze play-off.

Babita Kumari had won the bronze in the 55 kg class Thursday while Silpi Sheoran and Navjot Kaur finished fifth in 59 and 67 kg categories.

India are participating in all seven weight categories (48kg, 51kg, 55kg, 59kg, 63kg, 67kg and 72 Kg) of the tournament ending Saturday.